Self-aligning joist hanger for structural steel framing

ABSTRACT

A hanger for mounting a hollow metal joist perpendicular to headers and the like is disclosed. The hanger has a U-shaped top flange for hanging the hanger over a header and the hanger also having a backplate with side flanges projected outward therefrom and with the side flanges each being divided from the backplate outward at a point intermediate to the top and bottom thereof with the upper portion of each of the two side flanges being spaced together in order that the hollow metal joist may rest on the upper portion of the side flanges while the joist is being attached to the remaining portion of at least one of the side flanges. The side flanges are not connected other than by the backplate thereby enabling them to accommodate any height joist.

[ Sept. 23, 1975 1 1 SELF-ALIGNING JOIST HANGER FOR STRUCTURAL STEELFRAMING [75] Inventor: Alan C. Wendt, Harrington. Ill.

[73] Assignee: United States Gypsum Company,

Chicago, Ill.

[22] Filed: Jan. 6, 1975 [21] Appl. No.: 538,698

[52] US. Cl. 403/232; 52/751 [51] Int. Cl. F16B 5/00 [58] Field ofSearch 403/13, 14, 189, 187, 190,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,700,457 1/1955 Munroe52/752 X 3,481,635 12/1969 Tracy 52/751 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS105.169 6/1924 Switzerland 403/231 Primary ExaminerAndrew V. KundratAttorney, Agent, or FirmDonnie Rudd; Stanton T. Hadley; SamuelKurlandsky [57] ABSTRACT A hanger for mounting a hollow metal joistperpendicular to headers and the like is disclosed. The hanger has aU-shaped top flange for hanging the hanger over a header and the hangeralso having a backplate with side flanges projected outward therefromand with the side flanges each being divided from the backplate outwardat a point intermediate to the top and bottom thereof with the upperportion of each of the two side flanges being spaced together in orderthat the hollow metal joist may rest on the upper portion of the sideflanges while the joist is being attached to the remaining portion of atleast one of the side flanges. The side flanges are not connected otherthan by the backplate thereby enabling them to accommodate any heightoist.

2 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures US Patent Sept. 23,1975 Sheet 1 of 23,907,445

US Patent Sept. 23,1975 Sheet 2 of 3 3,907,445

III.

I II

(aw 13 o US Patent Sept. 23,1975 Sheet 3 of3 3,907,445

SELF-ALIGNING JOIST HANGER FOR STRUCTURAL STEEL FRAMING BACKGROUND OFTHE INVENTION l. Field of the Invention This invention relates to ahanger for mounting hollow metal joists perpendicular to headers and thelike. The hanger has a U-shaped top flange for hanging the hanger on theheader and a backplate attached to the top flange with the sides of thebackplate bent outward to form side flanges with the top portions of theside flanges spaced closer together to engage the upper portion of thehollow metal joist and the remaining side flanges used for attaching tothejoist to hold it in place.

2. Description of the Prior Art Many types of metal hangers exist forattachinghollow metal joists perpendicular to headers. These priorhangers, however, seem to be divided into two different design classes.The first such class is one in which the hangers have a U-shaped lip forhanging the hanger with side flanges terminating in a saddle arrangementwhereupon the joist sits in the saddle while the side flanges are beingattached to the joist. This type of hanger has one inherent difficulty.It will accommodate only one given size of joist if the top of the joistis to match the top of the header. in other words, if the joist has aheight greater than that of the header, or if different height joistsare used, then one size hanger cannot be used if the object is to havethe top of the joist in the same plane with the top of the header.

The other type of basic design for a hanger is one having a U-shaped topflange for hanging thev hanger with a backplate depending therefrom andwith the sides of the backplate bent outward to form two parallel sideflanges, unconnected except through the backplate, for attaching to thejoist. While this type of hanger will accommodate any height joist, itdoes have one deficiency with respect to installation. The deficiency isthat if one person is to install the joist and attach it to the header,then the installer must support the weight of the joist at its exactlocation while he goes about drilling and attaching the joist to thehanger. Small errors in this operation provide very poor alignment thusdemonstrating the inherent disadvantage of this type of hanger. Priorhangers, therefore, all have disadvantages which have been overcome bythe new and novel design of the present invention.

SUMMARY OF THETNVENTION It is an object of this invention to provide ahanger for mounting hollow metal joists perpendicular to headers and thelike.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a hanger formounting hollow metal joists perpendicular to headers and the likewhereby the hanger will accommodate any height of joist.

It is still another object of this invention to provide a hanger formounting hollow metal joists perpendicular to headers and the likewherein one installer can utilize the hanger to obtain exact alignmentof the metal joist with respect to the header.

It is also an object of this invention to provide a method for making ahanger and a method for attaching a joist perpendicular to a hanger.

The objects of this invention are accomplished in a hanger for mountinghollow metal joists perpendicular to headers and tilt; like. including aU-shaped top flange for hanging the hanger, and a backplate suspendedfrom the hanger with the side flanges projecting outward from thebackplate for connection to a joist, by the improvement comprising: theside flanges each divided from the backplate outward at a pointintermediate to the top and bottom thereof thereby forming a top andbottom portion of the side flanges, and the spacing of the top portionsof the side flanges closer together, wherein said side flanges areunconnected except by the backplate thereby enabling them to accommodateany height joist and whereby a joist to be attached to the side-flangesis supported by the spaced together top portions of the side flangeswhile the joist is being attached to the remaining portion of at leastone of the side flanges. If desired, an additionally improved, from thestandpoint of installation, design includes the one in which the centralportion of each side flange is eliminated. Additionally, the design mayinclude that in which the bottom portion of one side flange iseliminated or placed in the same plane as the plane of the backplatesince that portion is not needed if a C-shaped joist is being mounted.This is not preferable, however, since this restricts the adaptabilityof the hanger and even with C-shaped joists limits the joistinstallation to only one direction. A

The objects of this invention are also accomplished by a method forproducing a hanger for mounting hollow metal joists perpendicular toheaders and the like, said method comprising: forming the top of abackplate into a U-shaped flange for hanging the hanger; dividing thesides of the remaining portion of the backplate along lines imtermediateto the top and bottom thereof; bending the sides of the backplateoutward to form side flanges; and spacing the top portions of thebackplate closer together than the bottom portions of the backplate inorder that the inner upper portion of a hollow metal joist may rest onthe spaced together top portions of the side flanges. As discussed abovewith relation to the hanger, the method may additionally consist of theremoval of a central portion of the side flanges either prior to orafter the side flanges are formed by bending outward the backplate.Additionally, the hanger may be used to mount C-shaped metal joists whenthe method includes either the elimination of the bottom portion of oneof the side flanges or else the leaving of the bottom portion of one ofthe side flanges in the same plane as the plane of the backplate to actas an.

extension thereof, although both of these alternatives have the problemshereinabove discussed with relation to the hanger.

The objects of this invention are additionally accomplished by a methodfor attaching a hollow metal joist perpendicular to a header comprising:hanging a hanger over the header; resting a joist on spaced togetherupper portions of the hanger; and attaching the joist to at least one oftwo spaced together bottom portions of the hanger, the bottom portionsbeing on the outside of the joist.

The invention herein described has certain distinct advantages over anyof the hangers hereinbefore known. The inward spaced top portions of theside flanges provide an insert for engaging the hollow metal joist andkeeping the hanger attached thereto while it is being attached to theheader. Most importantly, however, the upper portion of the flangesprovides a convenient portion of the hanger for the inside upper portionof the joist to rest upon while in perfect alignment with the header towhich it is being attached. An additional advantage of the hanger isthat it will accommodate any height of joist since the hanging of thejoist is only at the top thereof and the bottom extension of the joistis immaterial to its suspension with relation to the header. A stillfurther distinct advantage of this hanger is the fact that the innerdisposed portions of the side flanges provide a support for the joist inaddition to the supporting screws or other supporting attachments. Thisnew design for a hanger accordingly represents a significant advancementin the design of hangers used in attaching hollow metal joistsperpendicular to headers.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The attached drawings may be used tofurther describe, but not to limit, this invention. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the hanger of this invention with thehollow metal joist and header in phantom;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the hanger of thisinvention wherein a portion of the side flange has been removed andwherein the top portion of the side flanges is bent inward to morereadily accommodate the metal joist;

FIG. 3 is a top view of the hanger of this invention with the metaljoist and header in phantom;

FIG. 4 is a front view of the hanger of this invention with the hollowmetal joist and header in phantom; and

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the hangerof this invention used to accommodate a header over a door with the studand joist in phantom.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now to FIG. 1, thenumeral is used to illustrate the top flange of the hanger. This topportion is terminated by downward section 11 which gives the U-shape tothe hanger. The hanger preferably has side flanges l2 and 13, generallyin parallel planes formed by bending outward the backplate 14, althoughthese side flanges may be independently attached instead of being a bentextension of the backplate. Also, the bottom of one of the side flangesmay be eliminated or left in the plane of the backplate although thisembodiment is not shown because it is of more limited use ashereinbefore discussed. The side flanges are divided, leaving upperportions 15 and 16, respectively, for permitting additional closertogether spacing. The upper portions 15 and 16 are then bent inward sothat they may be inserted inside the hollow metal joist. For the purposeof illustration, a header 17 is shown in phantom as well as a hollowmetal joist 18 being shown in phantom. The joist shown is of the C shapealthough this invention fully contemplates joists of rectangularcross-section.

The inside upper portion of the side flanges provides a convenientsupport for the inside upper portion of the hollow metal joist to restupon. This supports the metal joist while it is being attached to thehanger. The hanger may be attached to the header by any wellknownmethod, such as screws 19 being placed through a suitable opening, andthe hanger may also be attached to the metal joist by any conventionalmethod, such as screws 19 being attached in a suitable manner such asthrough holes 20 into the metal joist. Obviously, if a C-shaped joist isused, only one flange is attached to the joist. It must be understood,however,

that any of the well-known and accepted methods of attachment may beused and the attachment need not be limited to the screw-typearrangement.

It is particularly desirable in this invention to remove portions 21 and22 of the center of flanges l2 and 13 in order to make the hanger morereceptive to the hollow metal joist. Likewise, it is highly desireableto bend inward the end portions 23 and 24 of the upper portion of theside flanges in order that they may more readily receive the hollowmetal joist.

FIG. 5 shows an alternative embodiment of this invention. In FIG. 5, thehanger 26 is shown with a bent down portion 27 forming a U-shapedhanger. The backplate 28 is bent upward to form side flanges 29 and 30.Portions of the side flanges are severed to form upper portions 31 and32 to accommodate the inside of metal joist 33, shown in phantom. TheU-shaped portion of the hanger sits over a stud 34, also shown inphantom. Appropriate attachments are made through holes 35 and 36 toattach the joist and the stud to the hanger. This particular embodimentof this invention is useful when the joist is to be used for a facing orwhen the hanger or any portion of the stud or joist cannot extendoutward, such as when the hanger is used in attaching a joist to a studto form the header for a door.

In utilization of the hanger, the hanger may either first be placed onthe header and attached thereto with the metal joist then being slippedonto the hanger and supported thereby while it is being attached to thehanger or else the hanger may be inserted in the metal joist andattached thereto and then the hanger hung on the header and attached toit. In either of the installation methods, one person may easily do theentire attachment procedure without assistance from another individual.

Although many different designs and modifications are within the scopeof this claimed invention to add versatility to the particular usage,the attached drawings and the description pertaining thereto constitutethe preferred embodiments of this invention.

This invention is a remarkable improvement in hangers for use inmounting hollow metal joists perpendicular to headers and the like. Thehanger provides an exceptional savings in utilization of manpower aswell as providing an adaptable hanger for use with any height metaljoist. This invention also provides a hanger that can provide exactalignment of the joist with the header in all installations. Inaddition, this invention provides a hanger having increased supportingability and not relying entirely upon screws or the like to overcome theshear created by weight on the joist.

Having fully described this new and novel invention the following isclaimed:

1. In a hanger for mounting hollow metal joists perpendicular to headersand the like, including a U- shaped top flange for hanging the hanger,and a backplate suspended from the hanger with side flanges projectingoutward from the backplate for connection to a joist, the improvementcomprising: the side flanges each divided from the backplate outward ata point intermediate to the top and bottom thereof thereby forming aspaced top and bottom portions of the side flanges, and with thedistance between the top portions of the side flanges being less thanthe distance between the bottom portions of the side flanges, whereinsaid side flanges are unconnected except by the backplate to define achannel open at both ends thereby enabling them to accommodate anyheight joist, and whereby a tion of at least one of the side flanges.joist to be attached to the side flanges is supported by 2. Theimprovement as in claim 1 wherein a central the spaced together topportions of the side flanges portion of each side flange is eliminated.while the joist is being attached to the remaining por- UNITED STATESPATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION PATENT NO. 3, 9 7 5 DATED Sept23 1975 |NVENTOR(S) Alan C Wendt:

It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent andthat said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Claim 1, Column 4, Line 62 "a" should be deleted.

Signed and Scaled this tenth Day of February 1976 [SEAL] A ttest;

RUTH C. MASON C. MARSHALL DANN AIIPSII'NX ff Commissioner oflarems andTrademarks

1. In a hanger for mounting hollow metal joists perpendicular to headersand the like, including a U-shaped top flange for hanging the hanger,and a backplate suspended from the hanger with side flanges projectingoutward from the backplate for connection to a joist, the improvementcomprising: the side flanges each divided from the backplate outward ata point intermediate to the top and bottom thereof thereby forming aspaced top and bottom portions of the side flanges, and with thedistance between the top portions of the side flanges being less thanthe distance between the bottom portions of the side flanges, whereinsaid side flanges are unconnected except by the backplate to define achannel open at both ends thereby enabling them to accommodate anyheight joist, and whereby a joist to be attached to the side flanges issupported by the spaced together top portions of the side flanges whilethe joist is being attached to the remaining portion of at least one ofthe side flanges.
 2. The improvement as in claim 1 wherein a centralportion of each side flange is eliminated.